Steps to Setting Up and Administering a Youth Hockey League
Establishing a Youth Hockey League
To start, you’ll need to locate an ice rink that will sponsor your program. Most rinks charge a weekly rental fee which covers ice time, equipment rental, insurance and administrative costs – often owned by local businesses with long-term commitments to youth programs. Once you find an appropriate ice rink that suits all your requirements, they are usually ready to provide assistance!
Second, you need to decide what age group you would like your program to begin with. Depending on where you live, there may be a range of options for ages available such as mites, midgets or scholastic.
Third, select a coach. Look for someone passionate about the game, with excellent instructional skills and who works well with both kids and parents alike. Furthermore, find someone who can create an effective program to teach players the game and motivate them to keep playing.
Fourth, create a budget and determine how much money your program will need each year. Also take into account how much money you can spare for purchasing or building a new rink or other hockey-related expenses.
Fifth, you should recruit and hire coaches certified by USA Hockey or another recognized sports association. Doing this will bolster the legitimacy of your program and create a sense of continuity among coaches and players in your league.
Sixth, you should hire officials who are USA Hockey certified and understand your philosophy of a once-a-week no-check league. Furthermore, make sure you have an experienced core group of officials that can call consistent games each week.
Seventh, you must create an organizational structure that includes all players regardless of ability, experience or economic status. Doing this will give players and their families a place to belong while also upholding amateur status for your participants under USA Hockey regulations.
Eighth, you must provide top-notch coaching and playing experience for all of your players at all levels from house teams to travel hockey. To do this, select the best practice and game facilities within your community while cultivating positive relationships with those responsible for making those facilities possible.
On the ninth, you should promote and enforce USA Hockey’s core values of sportsmanship, respect for individual athletes, integrity, the pursuit of excellence, enjoyment, loyalty and teamwork. Doing this will help create a culture of sportsmanship in your league and encourage players and their families to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.
Ten, you should promote and enforce USA Hockey’s rules of the game as outlined in their National Rules and Regulations for youth ice hockey. Doing this will guarantee all players an opportunity to enjoy playing hockey within a safe, enjoyable, and competitive setting.
At sixteen, it’s essential that your organizational structure and policies reflect the values and principles that matter most to you. Doing this will show players and their parents that you are a trustworthy organization dedicated to aiding youth development.